# US 9,751,658 B1 · Lift truck platform apparatus and methods for transporting rolling racks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,658 B1 - Document ID: US9751658B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/362,433 - Filed: 2016-11-28 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-20 - Assignees: Jeffrey L. Brauer - Applicants: Jeffrey L. Brauer - Inventors: Jeffrey L. Brauer; Todd M. Scheriger; Jonathan A. Pond - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751658B1 ## CPC - B65D 19/44: Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms - B65D 19/001: {the base surface being made of a single element} - B65D 19/0038: {and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape} - B65D 19/0095: {and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape} - B66F 9/12: Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members - B65D 2519/00024: Metal - B65D 2519/00059: Metal - B65D 2519/00268: made of one piece - B65D 2519/00273: made of more than one piece - B65D 2519/00278: the load supporting surface and the base surface being identical - B65D 2519/00288: made of one piece - B65D 2519/00293: made of more than one piece - B65D 2519/00318: made of one piece - B65D 2519/00323: made of more than one piece - B65D 2519/00333: contact surface having a stringer-like shape - B65D 2519/00562: chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed - B65D 2519/00781: for moving on a surface, e.g. wheels, pads (B65D2519/00825 takes precedence) - B65D 2519/00805: Means for facilitating the removal of the load - B65D 2519/00815: on the pallet - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract A lift truck platform apparatus for transporting rolling racks provides a platform and a frame extending upwardly from the platform. A clamp is attached to the frame. The clamp is vertically moveable relative to the platform for selectively engaging and securing in place the rolling racks when the rolling racks are loaded on the platform. The clamp is vertically moveable away from the platform for releasing the rolling racks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lift truck platform apparatus for transporting at least one rolling rack using a lift truck, the lift truck including first and second vertically moveable forks, the apparatus comprising: a platform including a first outer wheel tray, a second outer wheel tray, and at least one interior wheel tray, wherein each wheel tray is configured to receive at least one wheel of the at least one rolling rack; a frame extending upwardly from the platform; a clamp attached to the frame opposite the platform, wherein the clamp is vertically moveable relative to the platform. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first fork channel positioned between the first outer wheel tray and the at least one interior wheel tray; a second fork channel positioned between the second outer wheel tray and the at least one interior wheel tray; and wherein each of the fork channels are configured to receive one fork of a lift truck. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a horizontal member disposed on the frame and opposite the platform; an open position where the clamp is spaced from the horizontal member; a closed position where the clamp is proximate to the horizontal member; wherein movement of the platform relative to the ground transitions the apparatus between the open position and the closed position; and wherein vertically upward movement of the platform moves the frame toward the clamp and into the closed position, and vertically downward movement of the platform moves the frame away from the clamp and into the open position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first wheel guide extending upwardly from an outer edge of the first outer wheel tray; a second wheel guide extending upwardly from an outer edge of the second outer wheel tray; wherein the first wheel guide and the second wheel guide are each configured to secure one or more wheels of the at least one rolling rack in the first outer wheel tray and the second outer wheel tray, respectively. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one loading ramp disposed adjacent to at least one of the outer wheel trays, the at least one loading ramp configured to facilitate rolling of the at least one rolling rack onto the platform. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the frame includes at least one vertical member; and a first clamp rod guide extends horizontally from the at least one vertical member. ### Claim 7 A lift truck platform apparatus for transporting at least one rolling rack, comprising: a base including a first outer wheel tray, a second outer wheel tray, and at least one interior wheel tray disposed between the first outer wheel tray and the second outer wheel tray; and a frame extending upwardly from the base, the frame operably configured to secure the at least one rolling rack; and at least one loading ramp disposed adjacent at least one of the exterior wheel trays, the at least one loading ramp configured to facilitate rolling of the at least one rolling rack onto the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a first fork channel positioned between the first outer wheel tray and the interior wheel tray; a second fork channel positioned between the second outer wheel tray and the interior wheel tray; wherein each of the fork channels are configured to receive one fork of a lift truck. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the first outer wheel tray, the second outer wheel tray, and the at least one interior wheel tray are configured to receive at least one wheel of the at least one rolling rack. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the frame is operably configured to secure the at least one rolling rack with a clamp. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the clamp is positioned opposite the base. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the clamp is vertically moveable relative to the base. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a horizontal member positioned opposite the base; an open position where the clamp is spaced from the horizontal member; a closed position where the clamp is proximate to the horizontal member; wherein movement of the base relative to the ground transitions the apparatus between the open position and the closed position; and wherein vertically upward movement of the base moves the frame toward the clamp and into the closed position, and vertically downward movement of the base moves the frame away from the clamp and into the open position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a first wheel guide extending upwardly from an outer edge of the first outer wheel tray; a second wheel guide extending upwardly from an outer edge of the second outer wheel tray; wherein the first wheel guide and the second wheel guide are each configured to secure one or more wheels of the at least one rolling rack in the first outer wheel tray and the second outer wheel tray, respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the frame includes at least one vertical member; and a first clamp rod guide extends horizontally from the at least one vertical member. ### Claim 16 A lift truck platform apparatus for transporting at least one rolling rack using a lift truck, the lift truck including first and second vertically moveable forks, the apparatus comprising: a base including a first outer wheel tray, a second outer wheel tray, and an interior wheel tray disposed between the first outer wheel tray and the second outer wheel tray; a first fork channel positioned between the first outer wheel tray and the interior wheel tray, and a second fork channel positioned between the second outer wheel tray and the middle wheel tray, wherein each of the fork channels are configured to receive one fork of a lift truck; and a first wheel guide extending upwardly from an outer edge of the first outer wheel tray, and a second wheel guide extending upwardly from an outer edge of the second outer wheel tray, wherein the first wheel guide and the second wheel guide are each configured to secure one or more wheels of the at least one rolling rack in the first outer wheel tray and the second outer wheel tray, respectively; and a frame extending upwardly from the base. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the frame is operably configured to secure the at least one rolling rack. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one rolling rack is secured by a clamp attached to the frame opposite the base, and wherein the clamp is vertically moveable relative to the base. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a horizontal member positioned opposite the base; an open position where the clamp is spaced from the horizontal member; a closed position where the clamp is proximate to the horizontal member; wherein movement of the base relative to the ground transitions the apparatus between the open position and the closed position; and wherein vertically upward movement of the base moves the frame toward the clamp and into the closed position, and vertically downward movement of the base moves the frame away from the clamp and into the open position.